PLEASANT GROVE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT DONATES FIRE TRUCK TO JAMES SPRUNT COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO ENHANCE HANDS-ON STUDENT TRAINING
James Sprunt Community College is committed to strengthening the communities it serves through innovative education and meaningful partnerships that create a more successful tomorrow. Recently, JSCC received a donation that perfectly reflects this mission.
Cody Herring, EMS Clinical & Fire Coordinator/Instructor at JSCC, has worked diligently to ensure the College’s Fire Program provides students with hands-on educational experiences that fully prepare them for careers in the industry. Herring, who has been a member of Pleasant Grove Volunteer Fire Department since the age of 14, values the department that first inspired his passion for public safety.
Herring shared, “Pleasant Grove means so much to me because I would not be working in fire and EMS today if it weren’t for my time there.”
JSCC partners with Pleasant Grove Volunteer Fire Department to provide outstanding training and support for those who serve the community. In an effort to give back, the department recently donated a fire truck to the College to assist in training future firefighters.
The truck, a single-cab engine equipped with a pump, will allow students to broaden their experience by learning to drive and operate multiple types of fire apparatus. This addition provides valuable real-world training opportunities and enhances the overall student learning experience.
Scott Rouse, Fire Chief of Pleasant Grove Volunteer Fire Department, said,
“Pleasant Grove felt that this truck would make a great addition to the JSCC fleet. We appreciate all the support we receive from JSCC in keeping our Fire and EMS personnel properly trained and certified. This truck was purchased new in 1990 and has served The Grove without fail. We are proud that this truck’s future life will be training the next generation of firefighters for Duplin County.”
JSCC currently utilizes a fire truck for student training, but College officials are excited about the opportunity to further diversify the student experience. Craig Garner, Director of Fire Safety and EMS at JSCC, emphasized the unique advantage this donation provides, allowing students to train on both an engine and a pump-based fire truck.
Herring added, “Having two trucks will provide us with more efficient training because we can split up our students, with one group working on rescue operations while another group focuses on driving and operating the machinery.”
Dr. Shannon Hair, James Sprunt Community College President, stated,
“The relationship between James Sprunt Community College and Pleasant Grove Volunteer Fire Department is an example of a partnership that truly benefits both the JSCC students and our community. Students are able to gain valuable experience on a different apparatus, which will, in turn, afford the community an opportunity to have a stronger volunteer fire department. Thank you again for your investment in JSCC, our students, and our community.”
JSCC will begin its next Fire Academy cohort on July 14, 2026. This exciting 26-week program prepares students for careers in the essential field of fire and rescue services.
For more information about the Fire Academy, contact Cody Herring at jherring@jamessprunt.edu or (910) 275-6254. Students can also apply directly online at:
https://jamessprunt.edu/short-term-courses/application-for-fire-academy/
